Community Solar Power Initiative
Nigeria: Aiyegun Community, Oyo State, (IEEE Region 8)
Year Funded by Tech4Good
Funding Provided by Tech4Good*
Individuals Impacted
Number of Volunteers
* funding in USD
Sustainable Development Goals
Team Members
Members of the IEEE Nigeria Section and the University of Ibadan IEEE Student Branch
Project Description
The project successfully delivered reliable, affordable, and clean electricity to the community through a solar-powered microgrid equipped with conventional prepaid meters and an electronic token vending system. Originally planned for the Olokogbooro community, the location was changed due to local political motivations. The IEEE team was able to pivot to the Aiyegun community in the same region, which faced similar energy access challenges and had active local engagement and participation.
The team installed a solar-powered microgrid designed to provide electricity directly to around 200 people and indirectly to an additional 100. This marked a major step toward sustainable energy access for the Aiyegun community.
Initial Impact
One of the most significant successes was the community’s active participation and collective effort in executing a project that benefits everyone. Their willingness to contribute and take ownership demonstrates the power of community-driven development. Local leaders and residents are now trained to manage and maintain the system, ensuring continued operation and fostering local ownership.
At the conclusion of the project, approximately 20 households no longer rely on kerosene lanterns or candles, thereby reducing indoor air pollution and associated health risks. Additionally, an estimated 80 students now have access to reliable lighting and ventilation in their electrified schools and homes, which is expected to improve their academic performance over time.
In a letter to the IEEE HTB chair, local Chief Adeleke Abdulazzez Akintunde expressed the community’s gratitude for “the social-economic development this project has ushered in by providing access to reliable and affordable electricity… significantly improving their quality of life.”
